Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-15
WATER GAS.
Professor loves Remark
able Discovery
FIT FOB FUEL AND LIGHT.
All Other Systems Superseded-A
Matter of Vital Interest
to HeusehOlders.
WATER GAS.
FIT FOR FUEL AND LIGHT.

The introduction OF anything whicl
will cheaper the cost OF ligh'
and fuel is matter of general Interest
and on Thursday was inaugurated in
Los Angeles a system which bids faii
to revolutionize all previous undertake
ings. On that day the Consumers
Gas, Light, Heat and Power Company
turned into its main the first supply ol
its incandescent gas. This company
was organized on November 10, 1886,
with a directorate composed of II. l..
Macneil, H. Newmark, E. Dunham,
L. f. Mosher and J. B. Quigley to in
troduce Professor loves remarkable
invention of water gas. The pro-
lessor is we'll known in scien-
ti6c circles as the inventor
of the manufacture of artificial ice,
and since he applied his talents to the
development of his gas discovery his
efforts have been remarkably success
full. Under his direction the first
illuminating water gas works were
built in small town i'll Pennsylvanla
in 1873, and the discovery received
such public appreciation that it is now
in use in over 800 towns and cities in
the United States. In the latter part
of last wear the Professor arrived in
Los Angeles and Messrs. Mosher and
Ouigley Immediately associated them
selves with the enterprise. Other
directors we're speedily obtained and
in April of the present year we ilnd
company thoroughly organized
for the purpose OF establish
ing mammoth works in Los Angeles.
Buildings were erected and pipes
laid at an expense of $3.50 900. and on
October Sd at the company's estab-
lisbment on 7th and Alameda streets
the first gas under the new process
was made.
Under invitation OF the manage
ment a number of representative gen,
tlemen of the city last night assembled
at the offices on 3rd and Main street
to make a thorough inspectionof
everything pertaining to the process;
Thevsfound room admirably lighted
by a clear white light which burned
radiantly from beneath an imposing
chandelier, Ranged around the walls
were a number of stoves for cooking,
and heating purposes and each
of these was fired by the new gas.
The heat given out was something
astonishing, and this was evidenced
afterwards, when a slice OF bread was
perfectly toasted in less than a min-
ute during the preparations Tor the
BANQUET which followed. The light in
the gas-lamps burned without Ticker
"a cold, white radiance which,
though not hurting the eyes. illumi-
mated everything with an effulgence
compared with which even the vaunted
electric light was as naught.
The system presents many favorable
features over those previously eXtant.
On the grounds of economy, subject
of vital interest to the average house.
holder, it is incomparably superior to
ANYTHING else obtainable, as the cost
ia about two-ffths of that of the
ordinary gas. For cooking purposes
it is superlative; it emits no unpieas-
ant odor nor smoke, and q meal can
be cooked quickly and well, at cost
much less than kindling wood would
ordinarily be. The danger which is
ever attached to the use of ordinary
gas is totally dispensed with, as, after
having been once lit, the wire retains
a sufficient heat to relight the burner
should the stop-cock be inadvertently
reset.
After spending an in teresting
hour in examining the different
modes Of application OF the gas, the
company adjoined to the factories from
whence the supply is generated. A
massive reservoir was the first thing
that attracted attention-it has a
capacity of 1O5 900 cubic feet OF gas
and when the works are in full blast
over / 900, 900 feet pass through itin the
conrse of every "a hours. The machin-
ery was very massive and Weli-ap-
pointed and everything appeared to
be in first-class working condition.
In the store-room were stacked count
less numbers of stoves and meters
ready to meet the demands which
are steadily pouring on and
which will be quadruPled
when the public appreciates the boon
that is offered to them. Seven miles
of mains have already been laid be-
meath the principal thoroughfares,
and the prices charged to consumers
is at the rate of 81 per 1000 cubic feet,
40 that with economical administra-
tion the household expenses for fuel
and light may be reduced lat least 20
per cent.
On returning to the main offices the
company found an elegant banquet.
provided under the stewardship OF
frank Maynes, assisted by Chas.
Phillips, chief chef Of the Nadeau,
and the following named gen
tiemen sat down to partake
Of It: Professor 7. s. G. Lowe,
L. p. Mosher, D. Ullmann, Ed
Dvnham. G. E. Thorn, f. Ernst, G.
L. Schieffelin, J. B. Quigley, w. A.
Spalding, of the Times; E. +. Kubel,
Of the Erami,,er and Tribune; William
Caller, of the Express, and u. +. hat
ton, Of the HERALD. A very generous
menu was provided including CO.
pious supply of champagne. IN re,
freshing draughts OF which all
present drank success to the new
enterprise. The company's offices
are now open to receive applications
that NAV be made for supply OF the
gas, and a visit to the building ana q
careful inspection of the many specl'
mems of lighting and heating con,
tanned therein will convince one ano
all that a new era has dawned upon
the history OF the city SO far as con-
Germs those domestic requirements.